Thursday, November 13, 2014

Throwback to that one photo that sums up the relationship my sister Kristy and David and I have. Sisters: Shenaniganry Husband: Reads his paper. Nothing to see here.Also? Those aren't just overalls. They are overalls with Eeyore embroidered on them. And that shirt is not your average 1998 shirt but a bodysuit. A mock turtleneck bodysuit.

Thursday, November 06, 2014

If blue fingernail polish were currency, all of you would be invited to my giant house for the biggest and most amazing party with iPads and a daily change of socks for the rest of your life as party favors.

You can see by this rational statement that when all paper currency is converted to shades of blue nail polish, it shall behoove you to remain my friend.

I will accept bribes in the form of Starbucks.
Green Tea Latte
Soy
No Classic.

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

I graduated high school the same year Bill Watterson stopped drawing "Calvin & Hobbes." It was a big deal in my house when the last comic strip appeared. My sister and I were die hard comic strip readers and my dad just fell hard for the comic timing, simple and complicated drawings and the deeper meanings and life lessons Watterson brought to the world (often with a tear or two, Baby Raccoon, anyone??)

I was on the Yearbook Staff the year before the final strip and I wanted desperately to fill some empty space on one of my pages with a section of Calvin and Hobbes dancing. My yearbook advisor helped me find where to write and ask permission. I was delighted to receive the "Okay" from the magical grown ups at the other end of my letter! I remember not being surprised. It felt like "Bill will think it's cool. He knows me!" (He doesn't. And I am sure he never even saw the letter.)

My dad "owned" all of the Calvin and Hobbes books that existed in our house. They often weren't on a shelf but instead open to a page near someone's bed or on the couch. You could always count on at least one copy in the bathroom magazine rack next to my mom's Good Housekeeping. (The Shumates are Bathroom Readers.) However, when I got married, I managed to bring quite a few of the books along with me. One of my favorites being the 10th Anniversary Edition where Bill Watterson picked out his favorite or most notable comic strips and talked about their inspiration, origins or arguments they brought about with his editors. I learned so much about the Art that Watterson felt he was creating with something as "throw away-able" as a newspaper.

The books I pilfered from my own dad were added to as I would find deals on the C&H books I had left behind. A nice collection accumulated and I often kept one or two in my own bathroom just as when I was growing up. Nate the Great came along and began reading and discovered a Calvin and Hobbes book one day. He was in: hook, line and sinker. He has read every book we own and every comic strip at least 3 times and he still reads the funny ones out loud to me which drives me crazy because I am not a fan of listening to people read out loud AND duh, I know. I have read them 3 times more than he has. One of my favorite memories of Nathan's 1st grade year in school was how he got busted by his teacher for retelling a punch line from C&H during class. She felt the joke was inappropriate. I thought it was hilarious. We had a hard time seeing eye to eye after that.

As I added to my household, more hands clamored for the books. I have lost a few books to overuse and I figure if a book is going to die, it's better to go that way than the way of the bird cage liner. I remember finding a page out of my beloved 10th Anniversary Edition that had become separated from the binding. I was upset-more than I should have been-and all Calvin was removed from the Zablets hands for a spell but not for too long. As soon as they would see a book left out when I had been reading, they were all back in trying to read while putting their shoes on in the morning or sneaking a book into bed with them along with a flashlight.

I am happy to sum up this little stroll with the news that I have repaid my dad for the swiped comic books when a two volume hardback edition of the Complete Collection was released and my sister and I went in on the purchase together. I may have made her promise that I get it when he dies. He may have said he's taking it with him.

But when we are over at his house, where will you find my kids? Dragging those big books off the shelf to read until we make them come to the dinner table. And even then no one wants to make them stop. We'd rather pull up a piece of carpet and join them.

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Since all of the hullabaloo and chatter from me about my hearing loss, surgery and inability to use my hearing device, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or BAHA, I feel like a little update is in order.

After some minor surgery at the end of May and a visit to audiology, we confirmed that I am still "half deaf" and that my BAHA was not working properly. It would be a hefty amount to fix but after having a hole drilled in my skull 4 years ago, it seemed silly to not give it a try.

Charlotte and I drove out to the doctor's office today and picked up the freshly repaired BAHA and I have been back to Bionic since this afternoon.

The results always amaze me every time I hook it up. I drove home with my finger in the good ear and told Charlotte to talk to me. I could hear her! Of course, later I also was reminded of my frustration with the device when I suddenly started experiencing the clicking and ringing of feedback that sometimes occurs.

I will wear the device for a few weeks and then follow up with audiology who can make some tweaks with the programming of the device. I will have to live within the confines of this technology. Nothing will ever replace God's creation as perfect as He created it. I will have to remind myself that the ability to hear on my left side is a special gift despite its limitations.

And with a cheering section this cute, it's hard to stay down for long!

Monday, November 03, 2014

Housekeeping is done with all the windows open in the morning to let in the crisp, fresh air and closed up in the afternoon before the heat comes rolling in.

Pumpkin, Ginger Spice and Apple Cider Candles are lit and their cozy aromas fill the home in place of baking because it's just too hot to turn the oven on.

You can shop for a coat and a swimsuit in the same store, usually on racks next to one another.

Facebook posts from friends complaining about the wind and falling leaves are "liked" with just a little bit of jealousy...but it's okay because orange, red and yellow maple leaves can be purchased at the grocery store: two bundles for six dollars.

It rains for two days and it's called a Storm. News logos are created. Stories are exchanged of BBQ's being rained out.

Red Starbuks Cups with steaming and delicious drinks are enjoyed with the air conditioning in the car at full blast.

I have decided to assemble an "At Least It's Fall on My Playlist" Playlist and it includes selections from Eva Cassidy ("Autumn Leaves") and Kate Davis ("September in the Rain.")
What else should I include?

In reality, I would be a terrible partner for David to race with. And he don't have sort of personality that makes good TV. But since us being on the show isn't a reality, we still talk through the race and how we would approach it. IT's fun for us and anyone who happens to be over on Sunday nights. Because that's when it is on: Sunday nights.

But it isn't Sunday nights this season! It is on FRIDAY nights. And so, thanks wholly to the DVR and the stubborn nature of two long time viewers, we get to see The Amazing Race and Phil on Sundays. Right where it should be.

*Daylight Savings Bonus Fact: Because of a way too late bedtime last night, DST change and a full afternoon of photo shoots, this blogger is very tired and actually fell asleep while composing this blog. When she awoke, the letter "b" had been typed over 100 times. It was not a ghost, it was sleep blogging. And that, dear readers, is when the blogger realized how today's blog was incredibly boring. Full refunds will be issued in the morning.

Saturday, November 01, 2014

I really hope you exit this time of Daylight Savings with the peace and knowledge that you have raised children who know how to turn on the TV, get their own breakfast, get their baby sister out of bed, help solve each other's problems and generally LET MOMMY SLEEP IN.